Photo Shows Dozens Of People Waiting In Line To Buy Heroin In Chicago

This past Wednesday, federal law enforcement took down a huge drug operation in Chicago, resulting in several dozen arrests.

In total, 42 people are facing state or federal drug charges for their involvement in distributing and supplying heroin around what is known as the West Side of Chicago.

Chicago police seized $50,000 in cash, nearly half a kilogram of heroin, and 12 firearms during the arrests on Wednesday. They searched several homes and three alleged stash houses, and seized two cars, including a 2014 Maserati GranTurismo.

The alleged leader of the operation is 33-year-old James Triplett. Triplett was reportedly a wholesale supplier of heroin who is said to have controlled an entire block of West Grenshaw. The operation included “shift workers” to keep business going through all hours of the day.

A photo included in the federal complaint by investigators shows a massive line of people on the 3700 block of West Grenshaw waiting to buy heroin.

The operation was based off of the Eisenhower Expressway, which is commonly referred to as "heroin highway."

Triplett is being charged with drug conspiracy and faces a minimum of 10 years in prison if convicted.